Rijeka Gateway, a joint venture between APM Terminals and ENNA Group, is lifting the standards of digital connectivity in the maritime industry by adopting next-level private 5G campus network. 5G targets twenty times higher data rates and much shorter latency than LTE Networks which have been rolled out at other terminals over past years.

The partnership with Croatian telecommunications company Hrvatski Telekom (HT), announced this week, is part of the new terminal’s commitment to environmental responsibility and technological advancement.

Enhanced data security

Rijeka Gateway is a completely new, ground up development, with no legacy LTE Network. This will allow the terminal to become HT’s first installation to use Stand Alone (SA) architecture. 5G SA technology offer numerous benefits, including ultra-low latency and faster access to higher data rates, enhanced security, improved energy efficiency, and service agility and scale through cloud-native, service-based architecture.

Industrial wireless connectivity has become a digital enabler for APM Terminals’ global initiatives such as: the standardisation of Terminal Operating Systems, reporting and support; GPS based position detection systems; remote equipment operation, optical character recognition and thousands of Internet of Things sensors on equipment to provide customers with the real-time location and status of cargo in the terminal.

WiFi networks, with potential instability are reaching their limit for reliably handling the increased data volumes demanded by APM Terminals’ digital transformation.

Optimized remote operations

Rijeka Gateway, due to begin operations in 2025, will use the HT public mobile network for its predominantly remotely operated electric equipment. Electric container handling equipment will reduce environmental impact to the minimum and mitigate noise and pollution for the local community.

“The terminal in Rijeka will be the only terminal in this part of Europe with remotely operated cranes, almost all equipment will be electric, and we are installing very advanced energy optimization and overall terminal management systems. Quality and reliable communication infrastructure is a prerequisite for such operations,” says Peter Corfitsen, CEO of Rijeka Gateway.

“The project demonstrates Rijeka Gateway’s trust in our ability,” said Marijana Bačić, Board Member and Chief Operating Officer for Business Customers at HT. She added that it additionally “confirms our strategy of delivering business critical communication via our public mobile network.”

With a 50-year concession, Rijeka Gateway will serve as the main entry point for container traffic to the hinterland countries and markets of Europe and will play a crucial role in the development of the local economy.